One Hundred-Word Wonders is a writing prompt that celebrates the marvel of storytelling in a concise form. Within the realm of micro-fiction, writers have mastered the art of crafting complete narratives in just a few sentences.
These bite-sized pieces should showcase the power of brevity, leaving readers in awe of the vast landscapes painted within a mere hundred words. So, how can a story be effectively told in such a limited space? Let's explore the possibilities together.
The word prompt and theme today:
HIBERNATE
Write in exactly 100 words, a story, poem, or creative non-fiction in any genre, using the theme, prompt word, or both. The 100-word count does not include the title. Please use WordCounter or your writing software to ensure your piece is exactly 100 words.
Place (copy and paste) your 100-word response to the prompt with its title in a comment below. If you’d like, publish on your own Substack site with a link back to this page.
Tap those little hearts on responses in the comment section, if you are moved to do so.
These prompts don’t have a deadline.
My response is included below.
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
A sacred pause
Photo by Caro Henry
Beneath the frost,
The world wrapped tight in winter's silent grasp,
Creatures drift within their earthen chambers,
Cradled by the whispers of the cold night.
In shadows deep,
Each heartbeat echoes through the quiet there,
Breath rises like a mist, then fades away,
As thoughts wander through the realms of slumber.
Beneath the snow,
Hope unfurls like tendrils in the dark,
Awaiting warmth, the sun's gentle caress,
To coax the world from dreams into the light.
Here, in stillness,
A promise of spring, hidden yet steadfast,
In hibernation’s hush, a sacred pause,
To sleep, perchance to dream, until the thaw.
Author’s Note
Look for a new One Hundred-Word Wonders prompt every third Wednesday in a month.
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Fabulous prompt … meeting my daily challenge for a month of 100-worders with this little tale of hibernation:
He’d filled the workshop because she never went there. He hid there but he’d still heard her scoffing at his ‘acorn sculptures’. But it gave him time to himself in the winter months and space to call his in the network of spaces they called home. There was a plenty of nighttime noise but he didn’t really give a hoot. Once the workshop was filled to overflowing, he designated the spare bedroom as a storeroom. But he was piling up trouble. As the secret cupboard burst open she screamed, “Are you nuts? How long will you be hibernating, Mr Squirrel?”
Fabulous prompt … meeting my daily challenge for a month of 100-worders with this little tale of hibernation:
He’d filled the workshop because she never went there. He hid there but he’d still heard her scoffing at his ‘acorn sculptures’. But it gave him time to himself in the winter months and space to call his in the network of spaces they called home. There was a plenty of nighttime noise but he didn’t really give a hoot. Once the workshop was filled to overflowing, he designated the spare bedroom as a storeroom. But he was piling up trouble. As the secret cupboard burst open she screamed, “Are you nuts? How long will you be hibernating, Mr Squirrel?”
From your sublime to the ridiculous. Here’s mine.
Wakey Wakey
Sid Barebaum was out early for good behavior from a one-year hitch. “The Bear” had been away since fall.
As flowers bloomed, nephew Aldo picked him up at the gate.
“Home to the fam?”
“Visitors I had. I want to get right back to business.”
“This is awkward, Lenny has kind of taken charge. He said take your time coming back.”
Bear grabbed the pistol he knew would be in the glove box and jammed it into Aldo’s temple.
“Drive me to that rat bastard right now. I wasn’t dead. Just hibernating. But it’s springtime. And I’m hungry. Frickin’ starving.”